May be sued by roommate?

[Kiwi29]

Recently my roommate refuses to pay the utilities because she said I have overcharged her rent. I am the tenant and only my name is on the lease, not her name. We had argreement verbally which how much she pays the rent, what are including in the rent and what are not, what we share and what we pay half and half. Then now she said under New York City Law, it is illegal to overhcharge a roommate for renting a room without the content of the leasing agent. She will not pay the utilities until I reimburse her for the overchargeing for her room. I am not sure what I overcharge her is wrong. I really would like know who is right.

 

[dj1]

Well she is HALF right......

The new law which took effect says that a prime tenant cannot charge roomate more then their proportional share of the rent. (2 people 1/2 rent 3 people 1/3 rent)

Now since she has nothing in writing she has nothing she can prove either...

It will be determined down the road wether or not this new law is Legal...but in the mean time give her a 30 day notice to vacate by April 30th, and tell her it only applies to written agreements that can be proved in a court of law, and as soon as ONE judge declares that portion of the law, illegal or unconstituional, no one can sue and win till it is apealed which could take years.

That should shut the roomate up.

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Personally I think It WILL stand up in court, Why should someone who has a cheap $600 a month apartment be allowed to have a roomate and charge them $600 a month and live rent free....its been going on for way too long in NYCity.

There might be some minor adjustments to the law, such as you can charge a roomate and extra $50-100 a month if they have a bigger room, or a private bath,or if its furnished or for a great view!